Book Review: #MakeoverMonday by Andy Kriebel and Eva Murray

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I read the 2018 version.


Summary

It is a sad day as I see the news of #MakeoverMonday taking an indefinite hiatus, so here is the review of the #MakeoverMonday book. This book sort of represents my choice to go down the path of data visualisation. #MakeoverMonday is a data visualisation community and also a weekly exercise for all interested in data visualisation.

Topics discussed in this book on data visualisation include:

  • how to approach data
  • data quality and accuracy
  • best practices for designing data viz


Things I like

1. The book is easy to read. It is suitable for beginners as there are little to no mathematical concepts. Keeping it simple, short paragraphs are often accompanied by examples of data vizzes. It is also a learning opportunity for professionals looking to build a community based on their passion for data.

2. There are extensive examples. I supposed with #MakeoverMonday being a community of people interested in data visualisation, there are no issues for the authors to not be able to fill the book with examples. The amount of examples not only helps to explain the points made in the book easily, but it also allows readers to be inspired for their next data vizzes.

3. There is a chapter where the book points out which data vizzes are effective and which are not. This is what #MakeoverMonday is all about. Taking an existing chart be challenged to makeover the chart. Unfortunately, this lasts only for about a chapter. Perhaps, due to publishing rights, it is difficult to get original charts published to show the before and after of the makeover. 


Final Verdict: If you are looking into how to step up your data visualisation skills via getting inspired by a community and their contributions, this is the book to go for.